Western Cape police intensify operations to combat rising violence

Police are intensifying operations in Cape Town this week following a concerning surge in murder and attempted murder cases.

On Tuesday, officers conducted a patrol from Steenberg to Sea Winds along Military Road, stopping vehicles as part of their crackdown on crime.

During these searches, a man was arrested after police discovered a gas gun and small packets of dagga inside his vehicle.

This operation underscores the urgent response from law enforcement to combat escalating violence in the area.

Provincial Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, said the management of SAPS in the Western Cape resolved to adopt a range of interventions after the latest shooting incidents.

“This entails taking proper control of an identified area within a specified period. Residents may have to wait long to access public places, with exceptions only made in emergencies,” he said.

He added that lockdown operations would also be enforced depending on the threat, with multidisciplinary teams targeting illegal firearms, ammunition, drugs, wanted suspects, and other illicit activities.

According to police analysis, many of the murders and attempted murders stem from conflict within a specific gang, compounded by the prevalence of illegal firearms.

“On average, SAPS confiscates 40 to 60 firearms per week. Since the beginning of the current financial year, approximately 910 arrests were effected for illegal firearms and ammunition. Through targeted operations, a total of 842 illegal firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition were seized,” he said.

Patekile said while progress had been made, the scale of the problem required an integrated response involving communities, law enforcement agencies, and all spheres of government.

He also addressed recent questions about SAPS K-9 units, saying that while attrition had reduced numbers, steps were being taken to replenish the service.

Four narcotics dogs are currently undergoing training in Pretoria, two of which will be deployed to Cape Town and the others to the Garden Route and Cape Winelands districts. Two patrol dogs are also in training.

Responding to reports about limited Flying Squad resources, Patekile denied claims that only two vehicles were available over the weekend.

“Eight vehicles were posted at strategic locations in Cape Town with 16 members who reported for duty on Saturday evening.” 

Speaking about the recent shootings, Patekile noted that the attacks were often targeted and linked to people who knew each other.

“When the shooting was happening in Xakabantu, the first one was in the early hours of the morning when it was still dark and there was no electricity in the informal settlement. The second was later, again directed at specific homes. That tells us these are people who know each other. Environmental design plays a role too; in many settlements, there are no roads and no lights, making them difficult to police.”

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Cape Argus